Self-centered behavior in college students

Self-Centered College Students

Countless children are told by their parents, relatives, or guardians that they are "special" on a regular basis. Parents and guardians tell children they are "special" to help instill a sense of individuality. Parents try to convey to their children that they are not only unique, but capable of being anyone and doing anything; their child can accomplish anything they can imagine because they are "special." For some parents, telling children they are special can be an expression of love and affection. For the children, however, hearing that they are special on a consistent level leads children to believe they are better than others, more deserving, become egocentric, and can be left with a strong sense of entitlement. As children grow older and begin to enter adulthood, these young adults may have feelings of entitlement and be highly self-centered. Both entitlement and egocentricity are personality traits that cannot be erased overnight.

The majority of the student population attending college is in the young-adult age group, and some of these students seem to be self-centered. The apparent self-centered nature of some of these college students is a result of their parents telling them they are "special" on a consistent basis. In childhood, understanding of social interaction and human understanding are developed as children become integrated into their social world. A child begins to shape their personality and develop a personal perspective of themselves-based partially on their interactions within their social reach. For many children, they experience the most concentrated amount of early social interaction with their parents, relatives, or guardians. If these caretakers tell their children they are "special" too often, children will begin to believe that they are characteristically different than other, "normal" people. Although a parent may very well have good intentions in telling their child they are special, the child will not be able to comprehend the complexity of its intentions, whether it is love, individuality, or otherwise.

A child who is told they are "special" too often does not understand their parent's intention; it rather contributes to their personal perspective of themselves. By being told they are "special," children believe they are better than other people and can develop a sense of superiority. Feelings of superiority support a self-centered nature. Another concerning element than a child being told they are "special" is when a child is told they are "special" but have not done anything to merit praise, attention, or recognition. Telling a child they are "special" for doing essentially nothing creates young adults who feel they contribute to the world without having to work towards something, and will remain "special" and "better than others" no matter what. These children grow into adults who feel more deserving than others despite the circumstances, and can lead to entitlement and selfishness. Since a child believes they are "special," they understand themselves to be unique, and that everyone else within their social influence should also know how "special" they are; this can contribute to the superiority dilemma and create condescending attitudes.